PHOTO BY ARTHUR REYNOLDS AND BILL CONWAY
Bystanders and emergency personnel look at the aftermath of the deadly train wreck that happened 61 years ago in Swampscott.
Tuesday marked 61 years since one of the worst train wrecks in North Shore history. Last year, the 60th anniversary was marked in The Item.
On Feb. 28, 1956, there was a crash involving two trains in Swampscott shortly after 8 a.m, that resulted in the deaths of 13 people and injuries to about 100 others.
At the time, there was a blizzard outside and wet snow covered the traffic signals, causing the train to halt in Swampscott. After the train stopped, the foreman got out and headed back to the telephone station about 100 yards back to call dispatch.
After seeing another train approaching, the foreman tried to warn it with flags and flares, but it went right past him. The oncoming train struck the one stopped at the Swampscott station from behind.
Most of the people who died were from the first car of the oncoming Train 2406, as the frame was sheared away from the shell, leaving the roof opened as if by a can opener.